Cover for washing machine tub

ABSTRACT

A VERTICAL AXIS WASHING MACHINE, ADAPTED TO WASH TWO LOADS OF FABRICS SIMULTANEOUSLY IN SEPARATE SOLUTIONS WITHOUT LIQUID INTERCHANGE THEREBETWEEN, INCLUDES AN OUTER TUBE TO RECEIVE LIQUID AND FABRICS TO BE WASHED IN THAT LIQUID, AN INNER, SUBSTANTIALLY IMPERFORATE OPEN TOP TUB TO RECEIVE LIQUID AND FABRICS TO BE WASHED IN THAT LIQUID, AND LIQUID INLET MEANS POSITIONED TO DIRECT A STREAM OF LIQUID INTO REGISTRY WITH THE TOP OF THE INNER TUB. A COVER STRUCTURE IS PROVIDED FOR SUBSTANTIALLY CLOSING THE TOP OF THE INNER TUB, THE COVER STRUCTURE INCLUDING A COVERPLATE SUPPORTED FROM THE INNER TUB, DIAPHRAGM POSITIONED BENEATH THE COVER PLATE AND SUPPORTED THEREFROM, AND A FLOAT POSITIONED BENEATH THE DIAPHRAGM AND SUPPORTED THEREFROM. A FLOAT SHIELD MAY BE DISPOSED BENEATH THE FLOAT TO MINIMIZE INTERFERENCE TO FLOAT OPERATION BY THE FABRICS WITHIN THE INNER TUB. LIQUID IS DELIVERED THROUGH THE COVER STRUCTURE TO THE INNER TUB BY PASSING THROUGH INLET OPENINGS IN THE COVER STRUCTURE, TRAVELING RADIALLY INWARDLY ALONG THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE DIAPHGRAM, AND DISCHARGING THROUGH AN OUTLET OPENING IN THE DIAPHRAGM. DISPOSED BETWEEN THE INLET AND OUTLET OPENINGS IS A CONTINUOUS BEAD DEPENDING FROM THE LOWER SURFACE OF THE COVER PLATE. WHEN THE LIQUID RISES IN THE INNER TUB TO A PREDETERMINED LEVEL, A BUOYANT FORCE IS EXERTED ON THE FLOAT WHICH IN TURN CAUSES THE DIAPHRAGM TO SEAT WITH THE BEAD THEREBY TERMINATING THE DELIVERY OF LIQUID TO THE INNER TUB.

Feb. 2, 1971 QQNDl'f ETAL 3,559,426

COVER FOR WASHING'MACHINE TUB Filed March 19, 1969 2 Sheets$heet 1 FIG! INVENTORS ROBERT EL CONDIT THEIR. ATTORNEY .35 w .L. 44, m 57 IZ f; 88 I i CLARENCE A. ZINNSNGER Feb. 2, 1971' R. E. CONDIT ETA!- 3,559,425

COVER FOR WASHING MACHINE TUB Filed March 19, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet a INVENTORS ROBERT E. CONDYT CLARENCE A.ZINNINGER 56 THE \R ATTORNEY COVER FOR WASHING MACHINE TUB Robert E. Condit and Clarence A. Zinninger, Louisville,

Ky., assignors to General Electric Company, acorporation of NewYork Filed Mar. 19, 1969, Ser. No. 808,558

Int. Cl. D06f 39/08, 31/00 V US. Cl. 68-4 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A vertical axis washing machine, adapted to wash two I A loads of fabrics simultaneously in separate solutions without liquid interchange therebetween, includes an outer tube to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid, an inner, substantially imperforate open top tub toreceive liquidand fabrics tobe washed in that liquid, and liquid inlet means positioned to direct a stream of liquid into registry with the top of' the inner tub; A cover structure is provided for substantially closingthe top of the inner tub, the cover structure including a cover w tubs.

discharging through an outlet opening in the diaphragm; i

Disposedbetween the inlet and outlet openings is a continuous bead depending from the lowersurfaceof the cover plate. When the liquid rises in" the'innertubto' apredetermined level, abuoyant force is exerted-'onthe float which in turn causes the diaphragm to seat with. the bead thereby terminating the deliver'yof liquid tothe innertub. I v a I BACKGROUND- OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to fabric washing machines which are adapted to' concurrently wash two separate loads of fabrics without intermingling the liquid used in the washingpro'cess I i W More particularly, the invention relates-to an improved cover arrangement-for the inner tub of a dual tub "machine such as those described 'in application Ser. 727,437 filed for Mr. Eugene Ziegler on May'fl8, 1968 and application Ser. No. 727,570 filed" forMnTohn' the assignee of the present invention. v 2 Reference is also made to application Ser. No. 75,6;110 filed for Mr. John' Bochan on Aug. 29, 1968 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, as thepresent invention constitutes an improvementfonthe invention of that application. The Bochan application teaches a cover structure for the inner tub of a dual tub machine wherein it is desirablto -fill an seal the inner tub be fore the out er tub isfilled. Poi-this purpose, the Bochan application discloses a passageway positioned 'withinthe inner tub and having an entrance exposed "to liquid ted: by-an inlet means 'and an exit mmmunicatingwitH the inner- "tub for flow" of liquid into theinneritub. closure-member is disposed "in thepassageway 'i'n'terme diateifth'e entrance and exit, the closure' member being to the-further flow of liquid therethrough.

3,559,426 Patented Feb. 2, 1971 ICQ While the Bochan cover structure provides an adequate cover structure incorporating a minimum number of parts, it is desirable to improve the Bochan design in several respects. In one such respect, it is desirable to eliminate the outlet opening which the Bochan device teaches as being positioned adjacent the rim of the inner tub, as such positioning of the outlet opening may result in liquid trying to force its way back through the outlet opening during centrifugal spin. In a second re spect, it is desirable to provide an arrangement having a much smaller valve seat surface than the large annular top surface of the Bochan closure member, by which improvement the buoyant force'of the liquid within the inner tub may be concentrated on the smaller valve seat surface. In another respect, it is desirable to provide a :float structure which is less susceptible of losing its buoyancy should any tilting or splashing action occur which may tend to cause the air within the Bochan float packet to escape therefrom.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cover structure forthe inner tub of a dual tub washing machine having an improved valving mechanism for sealing the inner tub which overcomes the aforementioned problems and thereby preventing the intermingling of the liquid used in the separate SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided in a vertical axis washing machine having an outer, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid, an inner; substantially imperforate, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid, and liquid inlet means positioned to direct a stream of liquid into registry with the top of the inner tub; a cover structure adapted to substantially close the top of the inner tub. The cover structure includes a cover plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a periphery. A diaphragm is disposed beneath the cover plate, the diaphragm having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a periphery. A float is disposed beneath the diaphragm. Means are provided to periphery thereof. At least one inlet opening is formed in the cover plate while at least one=outlet opening is formed inthe diaphragm at a position removed from the inletopen-ing'. At least one continuous depending bead is r l I o n v v o forniedon the lower surface of theecover plate to segre- Bochan on -May- 8,- l968,"both-of which are ass gned to gate the inlet; opening fromv the outlet opening. By this arrangemennthe liquidstream will enter the inner tub by flowing ,throughthe inlet opening inthe cover plate, then between the circular bead and the upper surface of the diaphragm, .and then through the outlet opening in the diaphragm- This liquid flow; will continue until the liquid level in the inner tub reaches a predetermined level, whereupon the float will be buoyed upwardly ,by the liquid in.the innertubcausing the diaphragm to seat liquid into the inner-tub. v v 7 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING l is a somewhatischematic,partial side elevational withv the circulanbeacl therebyterminating theflow of View of a. clothes washing machine incorporating one embodiment of the present invention, the view being partly broken away and partially in section to illustrate details;

FIG. 2 .is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevational view of the machine of 'FIG. 1, illustrating certain details of the embodiment of the invention incorporated therein;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating certain details of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, there is shown an agitator type clothes washing machine 1 having an outer, open top tub or receptacle 2 to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid. The tub 2 includes a lower wall 3 and a generally cylindrical, upwardly extending side wall 4, the walls 3 and 4 being provided with a number of spaced perforations or openings 5. The tub 2 is positioned within an outer, imperforate casing 6 which defines a chamber 7, with the tub 2 mounted within the chamber so that, when liquid is added to the tub 2, it will flow into the chamber 7 and fill the chamber and tub to the same level. The top of the tub may be provided with a balance ring 8 to help steady the tub when it is rotating at high speed.

The casing 6 is rigidly mounted within an appearance cabinet 9 which includes a cover 10 hingedly mounted in the top portion 11 of the cabinet for providing access through an opening 12 to the tub 2. A gasket 13 may be provided so as to form a seal between the top of the casing 6 and the top portion 11 of the cabinet thereby to prevent escape of moisture and moist air into the cabinet around the casing.

There is a movably mounted agitator 14 extending upwardly within the center of the tub 2. In the present case the agitator is shown as including a center post 15 and a plurality of outwardly extending vanes 16 and 17. The vanes extend partially along the center post and are joined at their lower ends by an outwardly fiared skirt 18. In the particular agitator illustrated the vanes 16 extend further up the center post than do the vanes 17; however, this is for illustrative purposes only and the vanes may take any desired shape.

The tub 2 and agitator 14 are rotably mounted. The tub 2 is mounted on a flange 19 of a rotatable hub 20, and the agitator 14 is mounted on a shaft (not shown) which extends upwardly through the hub 20 and through the center post 15 and is secured to the agitator so as to drive it. During a typical cycle of operation the agitator is caused to oscillate about its axis, that is, in a horizontal plane within tub 2, to cause a washing action of the fabrics in the machine. Then the agitator and tub are rotated together at high speed for centrifugal extraction of liquid from the fabrics in the machine. This sequence of operation is repeated the desired number of times for a complete cycle and normally is provided at least twice to give a washing step and a rinsing step.

The tub 2 and agitator 14 may be driven through any suitable means. By way of example they have been shown as being driven from a reversible motor 21 through a system including a load limiting clutch 22 mounted on the motor shaft. A belt 23 transmits power from the clutch 22 to a transmission assembly 24 through a pulley 25. Thus, depending upon the direction of motor rotation, the pulley 25 and transmission 24 are driven in opposite directions. The transmission 24 is so arranged that it supports and drives both the agitator drive shaft and the basket mounting hub 20. When motor 21 is rotated in one direction the transmission causes agitator 14 to oscillate in a substantially horizontal plane within the tub 2. Conversely when the motor 21 is driven in the opposite direction, the transmission rotates the tub 2 and agitator 14 together at high speed for centrifugal extraction.

While the specific type of transmission mechanism used does not form part of the invention, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 2,844,225, issued July 22, 1958, to Mr. James R. Hubbard et al., and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. That patent discloses in detail the structural characteristics of a transmission suitable for use in the illustrated machine.

In addition to operating the transmission 24 as described, the motor 21 also provides a direct drive through a flexible coupling 26 to a pump structure generally indicated at 27, which may include two separate pump units 28 and 29, both operated in the same direction simultaneousl yby the motor 21. Pump 28 has an inlet which is connected by a conduit 30 to an opening 31 formed at the lowermost point of casing 6. Pump 28 also has an outlet connected by a conduit 32 to a suitable drain (not shown). The pump 29 has an inlet connected by a conduit 33 to the interior of the chamber 7 and an outlet connected by a conduit 34 to a nozzle 35. The pump structure is formed so that, in the spin direction of motor rotation, pump 28 will draw liquid in from the chamber 7 through the opening 31 in conduit 30 and then discharge it through conduit 32 to drain. In the other direction of motor rotation, pump 29 will draw in liquid through the conduit 33 and discharge it through conduit duit 34 and nozzle 35. Each of the pumps is substantially inoperative in the direction of rotation in which it is not used. The particular form of the pump structure 27 is not significant; rather structure 27 is representative of any structure capable of passing liquids selectively out through one outlet or another, whether by use of one pump with suitable valving, a combination structure or two pumps.

It is desirable that rotation of the tub 2 and agitator 14 for centrifugal extraction of liquid from the fabrics within the machine be delayed a sufiicient period of time during each extraction step for pump 28 to lower the level of standing liquid within the chamber 7 at least to below the bottom wall 3 of the tub 2. U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,797, issued May 5, 1964 to Mr. John Bochan and U.S. Pat. No. 3,197,982, issued Aug. 3, 1965 to Mr. Joseph C. Worst, both of which patents are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, disclose details of clutches which will provide a suitable delay in the high speed rotation of tub 2 and agitator 14 so the pump 28 can lower the level of liquid in chamber 7.

Motor 21, clutch 22, transmission 24, tub 2 and agitator 14 form a suspended washing and centrifuging system which is supported by the stationary structure of the machine so as to permit isolation of vibration from the stationary structure. While any suitable suspension structure may be used, one such structure includes a bracket member 36 with the transmission 24 mounted on the top thereof and the motor 21 mounted on the underside thereof. The bracket member in turn is secured to a pair of upwardly extending rigid members 38, and each of these two upwardly extending members is connected to a cable (not shown) supported from the top of the machine. Such a vibration isolation system is fully described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,987,190, issued June 6, 1961 to Mr. John Bochan and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

To accommodate the movement which occurs between the transmission 24 and casing 6 without any danger of liquid leaking between them, the stationary casing 6 is joined to the upper part of transmission 24 by a flexible boot member 39. Boot 39 may be of any suitable configuration, many of which are known in the art, to permit relative motion of the parts to which it is joined without leakage therebetween.

Hot and cold water may be supplied to the machine through conduits 40 and 41, which are adapted to be connected respectively to sources of hot and cold water (not shown). Conduits 40 and 41 extend into a conventional mixing valve structure 42 having solenoids 43 and 44. Energization of solenoid 43 permits the passage of hot water through the valve to an inlet hose 45, energization of solenoid 44 permits passage of cold water through the valve, and energization of both solenoids permits mixing of both hot and cold water in the valve and passage of warm water into the hose 45. The inlet hose 45 is connected to a discharge horn 46 which is positioned to discharge into the tub 2 so that when one or both of the solenoids 43-1ai1d 4.4,.a're energized, water passes'into the tub 2 and chamber 7. The level to which water rises in the tubt-2yand chamber 7 may be controlled by any suitable liquid level sensing means (not shown) -many of which are known in the art.

III'OIIdGI'JIQ wash two loads of fabrics simultaneously without intermixing the washing andrinsing liquid which comes into contactwith; the fabrics, so that noncompatible fabrics may be washed simultaneously, there is provided a.;,second:or inner, substantially imperforate, open top tub 47 to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid. The tub 47 includes an inner wall 48 which is channeled as indicated at 49 along its radially inner portion and curves outwardly at the bottom so as to fit closely around the agitator 14 and be driven thereby as the. agitator is oscillated and rotated during a sequence of operation of thesmachine. The tub 47 also includes a generally,cylindrical-outer wall 50- which extends upwardly and defines-a top opening 51.

' The to'uter wall 50-may have extending therefrom a number of'small vanes 53 which aid in providing a suitable washing motion to the liquid and fabricsin the outer tub 2 when the inner tub 47 is injthe machine.- The diameter of the inner-tub 47 is made substantially less than the diameter of the outer. tub 2 so that each tub may have a.;suitable'volume separate fromthe other to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid. In the machine illustratedthe inner tub 47 doesnot completely cover the vanes 16 and.:;17 of the agitator 14 so that their lower tips may assist in causing a washing motion in theouter tub.

.oThe; vupperfportion of the wall 50 generally slants inwardlyas indicated at54 and this inwardly. slanting por-: tion is provided witha number. of recesses 55 which continue/in a more vertical fashion and arespaced circumferentiallyaroundihe wall 50. Each ofthe recesses 55 terminatesinan upwardly extending. pipe 56, and .the upper end of each pipe 56 is joined to a return bent, generallytzvertically" extending tube 57 of ,stiffly resilient materialrsocthatcach pipe and tube together form a conduit 58.1;Each conduit'has an inlet 59 in the upper portion of the inner tub 47 andan outlet '60'which opens outwardly above the topIof-thetub 47.

-.=:The-water,.inlet horn '46. and. recirculation nozzlev 35 are both formed and positioned so that. the streams of liquid discharge therefrom flow in paths which'bring them intor'egisti'y with the open upper end 51 of the inner tub 47. 'In acc'ordance'with this invention there is provided an improved cover structure 61 which fits within the openings-'51 'and'.-all'ows Ithe stream of inlet water from horn; 46?.to'flow intothe tub 47 -until itis full'and then directs the stream into tub 2 and chamber 7 so that the sameiihlet .rnechanismnormally'used in washing machines maybe hsedin: a machine for simultaneously washing two ldadsn The -cover structure also functions to direct the stream of:re'circtilatedili'quid frorn nozzle 35 backinto tub 2 withoutfiany 'of it-flowing into the tub 47so' that a normal recirculationtype filtering system may be used in a machine which will simultaneously wash two loads.

As may best 'fbeiseenjin"FIG; 2, the cover structure 61 includes a cover plate 62,.a diaphragm- 63 disposed beneath theflcover plate, andj a. oat 64- disposed beneath lap ragirL'Addit'ionalIy, afloat shield 65 may be disposed b heath float'64 Cover plate 62, as shown specially in 3, is aeaetally i 3 i dshas a r her 66 comprising a depending ring 67 and an outwardly extending flange 68. Flange 68 extends outwardly to serve as meansto" support the cover plate 62 from the rim of the inner tub 47. Ring 67 depends into the inner tub 47 and terminates in an enlarged portion 69. Diaphragm 63 is comprised of a flexible material such as rubber and is generally annular in configuration having a periphery 70 comprising a first portion 71 of U-shaped cross section and a second portion 72 of inverted U-shaped cross section terminating in an inwardly turned depending portion 73. Ring 67 with enlarged portion 69 extends into the first U-shaped portion 71, and by frictional engagement therewith, provides a means to support diaphragm 63 from cover plate 62. Means comprising a depending structure 74 are also provided to support float 64 from a portion of the diaphragm 63 removed from the periphery 70. Depending structure 74 is formed integral with diaphragm 63 and comprises an annular ring having an upwardly facing flange 75 thereon which engages a downwardly facing flange 76 on float 64. Float 64 may comprise a hollow sealed float structure or a buoyant material such as polystyrene foam.

Float shield 65 is supported by means of an annular groove 77 along the periphery thereof which cooperates with an annular projection 78 formed on the inner leg of the first U-shaped portion 71 of diaphragm 63. By this interconnection between cover plate 62, diaphragm 63, float 64, and float shield 65, the entire lid structure 61 may be readily removed as an assembly from the inner tub 47 When reinstalled by the user, the inwardly turned portion 73 of diaphragm 63 will facilitate insertion into the inner tub 47 while the inverted U-shaped portion 72 of diaphragm 63 will serve to seal the juncture between the lid structure 61 and the inner tub 47 In the preferred embodiment of the device, there is formed within diaphragm 63 a single outlet opening 79 of sufficient size to provide ample area between diaphragm 63 and agitator post 15 for discharge of liquid into the inner tub 47. In this preferred embodiment, opening 79 is substantially circular, having a first radius from the vertical axis of the machine. In other possible embodiments, more than one opening may be provided within diaphragm 63, all-of such openings being positioned within a circular area having a first radius from the vertical axis of the machine.

Depending from the lower surface of cover plate 62 is a continuous circular bead 80 positioned at a second radius from the vertical 'axis of the machine greater than the aforementioned first radius. Formed within cover plate 62 are a plurality of inlet openings 81, one or more of which may be arranged in substantially circular formations about the vertical axis of the machine. Such openings are positioned within a circular area defined by periphery 66 and by a third radius from the vertical axis of the machine greater than the second radius.

By this arrangement of inlet openings 81, circular head 80, and outlet opening 79, liquid delivered into registry with the open upper end 51 of the inner tub 47 by inlet horn 46 will enter inlet openings 81 where it will impinge upon diaphragm 63. Assuming the inner tub 47 to be less than full, diaphragm 63 will assume the downwardly disposed or open configuration of FIG. 2. From the inlet openings, the liquid travels radially inwardly between head 80 and the upper surface of diaphragm 63, whereupon it discharges. through outlet opening 79 into the inner tub 47.

As liquid enters the inner tub 47, the air therein escapes through an annular space 82 defined by agitator post 15 and an upwardly flanged ring 83 formed integrally with cover plate 62. The upwardly flanged ring 83-and the upwardly arched ring 84 formed adjacent the periphery 66 of coverplate 62 serve to direct the liquid into the inlet openings 81, thereby assisting the aforedescribed rapid filling of the inner tub 47. As the liquid level within inner tub 47 rises, float shield 65 minimizes any interference with, the operation of-float 64 by fabrics which may tend to protrude upwardly intothe region of the floator which may be buoyed upwardly by the liquid. Liquid will continue to flow into tub 47 until a predetermined level of liquid is reached, at which level the float 64 will be buoyed upwardly with sufficient force to raise the diaphragm 63 into seating contact with the bead 80 whereby the flow of liquid from inlet opening 81 to outlet opening 79 is terminated. Thereafter, the liquid impinging upon diaphragm 63 will flow radially outwardly 7 across the diaphragm, then through over-flow openings 85 and onto flange 68 from where it discharges into the outer tub 2 and chamber 7.

Similarly, since the inner tub 47 will be substantially full during periods of agitation the stream of recirculated liquid being emitted from the nozzle 35 onto the cover will be directed outwardly over the cover structure and back into the tub 2 and chamber 7 without entering the inner tub 47, due to the seal formed between the upper surface of diaphragm 63 bead 80 formed on the lower surface of the cover plate 62.

In order to filter lint and other foreign matter from the recirculated stream of liquid a pan-like filter 86 may be mounted on agitator post 15 above the cover structure 61, the filter pan 86 having a generally horizontal lower wall 87, and an upwardly extending side wall 88. The lower wall 85 is spaced above the cover plate 62 and is formed with a plurality of openings 89 so that a liquid entering the filter will flow through the openings 89 in the filter and fall onto the cover structure 61.

In order to wash two loads of incompatible fabrics simultaneously it is also necessary to insure, during centrifugal extraction periods of operation, that none of the liquid used in washing the fabrics in the inner tub impinges upon the fabrics in the outer tub. To this end a first wall 90 extends inwardly and downwardly from the top edge of the outer tub 2 and underlies the outlet end 60 of the conduits 58. The liquid exiting from the conduits 58 during centrifugal extraction will strike the wall 90 and be guided to the top of the tub 2. The inner end of the wall 90 is formed with an upturned flange 91, which is positioned relative to the outlets 60 so that any liquid which may be projected outwardly from the conduits 58 at the end of the extraction operation or spraying out during centrifugal extraction will be caught by the flange 91 and prevented from dropping into the outer tub 2. A second wall 92 extends around and is spaced above the top edge of the tub 2. The wall 92 is supported above the tube 2 by any suitable means, such as circumferentially spaced, small posts 93 which extend from the top of the tub 2 and engage the wall 92. The wall 92 includes a first portion 94 which extends inwardly and downwardly into the tub 2 parallel to and spaced above the wall 90 and terminates outwardly of the ends of the tubes 57. The wall, 92 also includes a second portion 95 which extends outwardly and downwardly outside the tub 2. Thus, the liquid exiting from the conduits 58 is directed upwardly by the wall 90 and over the top of the tub 2 by the wall portion 94 and then outwardly and downwardly into the chamber 7 away from the tub 2 by the wall portion 95.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details of the construction of the example illustrated, and it is contemplated that various other modifications or applications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended to cover such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a vertical axis washing machine having an outer, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid, an inner, substantially imperforate, open top tub to receive liquid and fabrics to be washed in that liquid, and liquid inlet means positioned to direct a stream of liquid into registry with the top of the inner tub; an improved cover structure adapted to substantially close the top of the inner tub, comprising:

a cover plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a periphery;

means to support said cover plate adjacent its periphery from the inner tub;

a diaphragm disposed beneath said cover plate, said diaphragm having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a periphery;

means to support said diaphragm adjacent its periphery from said cover plate;

a float disposed beneath said diaphragm and engagable with said lower surface of said diaphragm;

at least one inlet opening formed in said cover plate;

at least one outlet opening formed in said diaphragm at a position removed from said inlet opening; and

at least one continuous depending bead formed on the lower surface of said cover plate to segregate said inlet opening from said outlet opening;

whereby the liquid stream will enter the inner tub by flowing through said inlet opening in said cover plate, then between said circular bead and said upper surface of said diaphragm, and then through said outlet opening in said diaphragm until the liquid level in the inner tub reaches a predetermined level, whereupon said float will be buoyed upwardly by the liquid in the inner tub causing said diaphragm to seat with said circular bead thereby terminating the flow of liquid into the inner tub.

2. The invention of claim 1 additionally including a float shield disposed beneath said float and adapted to minimize interference to the operation of said float by fabrics within the inner tub.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said at least one outlet opening is positioned within a circular area of a first radius from the vertical axis of the machine;

said bead comprises at least one substantially circular bead positioned at a second radius from the vertical axis of the machine greater than said first radius; and

said inlet opening is positioned within an annular area defined by said periphery of said cover plate and a third radius from the vertical axis of the machine greater than said second radius.

4. The invention of claim 3 additionally including means to support said float from a portion of said diaphragm removed from said periphery of said diaphragm.

5. The invention of claim 3 wherein;

said at least one inlet opening includes a plurality of openings disposed in a substantially circular formation; and

said at least one outlet opening includes a single substantially circular opening concentric with the vertical axis.

6. The invention of claim 5 additionally including at least one opening in said cover plate positioned within said first radius and adapted to permit the escape of air from the inner tub and the admission of minimal liquid from the liquid inlet means into the inner tub.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,481,162 12/1969 Ziegler 68-4 3,481,163 12/1969 Bochan et al. 68-23.5X 3,481,164 12/1969 Bochan 6823.5X

WILLIAM T. PRICE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 6823 .5 

